Low Country Boil

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This Low Country Boil features crab legs, shrimp, sausage, and veggies for a spicy, flavorful feast! Cook everything in one pot in under an hour.

titled collage for low country boil


 

Simple ingredients, easy to make, and incredibly delicious — now that’s my kind of recipe!

low country boil ingredients

Low Country Boil with Crab Legs

Crab low country boil is such a great meal for summer since you can serve a lot of people and do it outdoors.

Just line your table with newspapers, spread out the food, and let everyone dive in when they’re ready to eat.

Craving more Southern dishes? My Cajun Shrimp Pasta is smothered in a spicy Parmesan sauce, and this biscuits and gravy skillet couldn’t be any easier to throw together.

pot of seasoned water, lemons, and onions

What is a low country boil?

It’s a dish and an event all rolled into one! It originated in areas of Georgia and South Carolina and is also known as Frogmore Stew.

While every recipe for a low country boil is a little bit different, they all share a few common ingredients.

First, there’s got to be seafood, potatoes, and corn on the cob. You will often find sausage in the mix, along with plenty of seasoning.

Then, everything is cooked together in one big pot so the flavors can meld together into one delicious meal.

lowering red potatoes into large pot

Crab Low Country Boil Ingredient Notes

I recommend getting fresh seafood if you have access to it — the flavor is simply unmatched. For this low country boil recipe with crab legs, I used the following:

  • Wild caught, precooked Dungeness crab legs – I thawed these according to package directions.
  • Frozen, precooked extra large shrimp – These came peeled and deveined and were thawed under cold water for 5-6 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

This low country shrimp boil has everything you need for a complete meal, saving you the time and energy needed for side dishes.

Add a few bowls of melted butter and cocktail sauce around the table, and you’re all set!

However, you can’t go wrong with cornbread or biscuits and something green.

Coleslaw is a popular choice alongside a crab low country boil, but veggies like broccoli and zucchini would work as well.

Feeding a crowd? Add a pasta or macaroni salad, baked beans, or your favorite mac and cheese.

Low Country Shrimp Boil Tips and Tricks

  • Check your cook times. Because fresh seafood comes in a variety of sizes, check with your seafood handler for the appropriate times so everything is cooked through.
  • Use all-metal tongs. Ones with silicone grips can become slippery and increase the chance of burns when used with hot, boiling water.
  • And a strainer too! A must for this low country boil recipe with crab legs.

    Lower each batch of ingredients into the pot with a strainer to avoid splashing, then lift them back out once everything is cooked.
  • Adjust the spiciness. As listed, this low country shrimp boil should be mild enough for most people.

    If you prefer, add extra Old Bay or swap in some spicy kielbasa instead.
adding crab legs to pot with water and corn

Low Country Boil FAQ

Do you devein shrimp for a low country boil?

Yes, but because it’s such a time-consuming process, I recommend buying ones that are peeled, deveined, and ready to go.

In case it’s needed, you can find instructions for deveining shrimp in this post.

How long do leftovers last?

According to the USDA, seafood can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Use a storage container with a lid so the smells from your low country boil with crab legs don’t transfer to other foods.

low country boil spread onto newspaper with dipping sauces

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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tongs grabbing corn from low country boil

Southern Low Country Boil (Shrimp and Sausage Recipe)

Donna Elick
This low country boil features crab, shrimp, sausage, and veggies for a spicy, flavorful feast! Cook everything in one pot in under an hour.
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Stovetop
Servings 6 – 8

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning
  • 2 lemons, quartered
  • 2 yellow onions, quartered
  • 3 pounds baby red potatoes, creamer potatoes
  • 8 ears corn on the cob, cut in half or thirds
  • 24 ounces kielbasa, 2 12 ounce packages, , cut into 2-3 inch pieces
  • 1 pound Dungeness crab leg sections*
  • 2 1/2 pounds X-large shrimp*, peeled and deveined

garnish (optional)

  • fresh parsley, chopped
  • unsalted butter, melted
  • lemon wedges
  • additional old bay, to taste
  • cocktail sauce

Instructions
 

  • Fill a 12 quart stockpot a little less than halfway with water. Add Old Bay seasoning, quartered lemons, and onions to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Lower the potatoes into the pot and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add corn, kielbasa, and crab, and bring to a boil again. Cover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
  • Lower heat to medium high and add shrimp. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until all shrimp are pink and potatoes are cooked.
  • Remove seafood and vegetables from the pot. Discard liquid and cooked lemons. Transfer to a serving platter or serve family style on newspaper. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges. Serve with your favorite sauces and toppings, such as melted butter, cocktail sauce, or additional old bay seasoning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 890cal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 65g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 362mg | Sodium: 2321mg | Sugar: 12g | Fiber: 10g | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 7mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled collage for low country boil recipe

Originally published April 2021, updated and republished April 2023

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4 Comments

  1. Looks amazing! Perfect for summertime al fresco dinner! One thing; what do the stars stand for next to the seafood ingredients in the recipe? I have so many recipes I have collected and made from The Slow Roasted Italian and all of them did not disappoint! I think this is going to be another! Thank you for this recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    This tasted awesome. A spicy and savory seafood dish that everyone seems to love. I will be making this again soon.

  3. Can this be done in a crockpot? If so,,do you recommend high or low or a combination? And for how long please? Thank you!

    1. Ho Candice,
      We have not tried this recipe in the crockpot. If you do please let us know how it goes.
      TSRI Team Member,
      Holli

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